Lifelong Learning Programme

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Teaching Resources

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TEACHING RESOURCES INFORMATION

TITLE OF TEACHING RESOURCE
EKFE Rethymnou (Secondary Education Laboratory Center for Physical Sciences at Rethymnon – Crete)
IMAGE
NAME OF PRODUCER
EKFE Rethymnou
WEBSITE OF THE PRODUCT
TYPE OF PRODUCT
Web Site/Portal
LEVEL OF CHEMISTRY KNOWLEDGE
Basic, Medium
PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
Problem solving, Experiential learning, Lab training
SUBJECT AREA
Fundamental Chemistry, History of Chemistry
TARGET GROUP LEVEL
Lower Secondary School, Upper Secondary School
LANGUAGE/S OF TEACHING RESOURCES
Greek
TUTORIAL SUPPORT
No
DESCRIPTION
Prerequisites: The educational material available at the web site/portal of EKFE Rethymnou does not require downloading any additional special software. It mainly consists of text and videos.

Contents – Task Description: The site is mainly a rich source of laboratory experiments to be performed in a standard secondary school chemistry laboratory. Under the menu “ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΙΖΟΜΑΣΤΕ” – “ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΑ ΧΗΜΕΙΑΣ”, the user (chemistry teacher) has access to a total of 40 experiments. Each experiment is accompanied by the following: 1-2 images, very short description of aim(s), anticipated results, directions for the experimental process and a video. Under the menu “ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΙΖΟΜΑΣΤΕ” – “ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΑ ΧΗΜΕΙΑΣ ΣΕ ΜΙΚΡΟΚΛΙΜΑΚΑ”, the user is given access to the description of 60 simple and fast chemistry experiments that can be performed in very small scale either in the school laboratory or even in the classroom (depending on safety) by using very little amounts (eg. a few drops) of different materials.
In addition to laboratory experiments, the site gives access to a range of interesting problems (Menu: “ΕΡΩΤΗΣΕΙΣ-Tests”) which bring out the connection of chemistry (and science in general) with everyday life situations and experiences.
Under the menu “ΙΣΩΣ ΣΑΣ ΕΝΔΙΑΦΕΡΟΥΝ” the site provides access to interesting information related to the lives of famous chemists. Finally, the site provides links to several other sites (both Greek and international) related to chemistry education.

Aims: The educational material provided in this site aims firstly at helping the chemistry teacher incorporate laboratory experimentation in the teaching routine. Student motivation to learn chemistry and science in general can be increased significantly via their involvement in real experiments (hands-on experience). In addition to the experiments, the interesting collection of problems constitutes an excellent “food for thought”. The problems bring out the connection of chemistry with real life, thus making the chemistry subject more appealing and at the same time encouraging the students to develop the ability of critical/analytical thinking. The material related to the “history of science” can be used as a useful tool for attracting students’ interest and attention and for bringing out the social aspect of science.

Use in class: The tasks are described very briefly however adequately. The material can be easily incorporated in the class practice: the experiments described are fairly easy and they cover a large amount of material in fundamental general inorganic, physical and organic chemistry. The proposed problems/tests are very useful for creating discussion in class related to everyday life situations.
COMMENTS
The educational material of this site is very carefully selected in order to be easily amenable and applicable in an average classroom. Even if a school unit does not have a very well equipped chemistry laboratory, a large proportion of the very small scale experiments can still be performed. The availability of the experiments in video could also be very useful for making the teaching process more appealing, even though it should not systematically substitute real experimentation. The pedagogic value of the hands-on experience is very high and the same applies for the very interesting collection of problems/tests as well as for the material that makes reference to the history of science. Overall, the material is scientifically reliable. The teaching resource could have even larger pedagogic value if it made available student worksheets, detailed teaching plan proposals and assessment criteria and material.
NAME OF THE REVIEWING ORGANISATION
TEI of Ionian Islands

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National Reports on successful experiences to promote lifelong learning for chemistry The national reports on chemistry successful experiences to promote lifelong learning for chemistry are now available on the related section of the project portal. The reports presents examples of successful experiences in the partner countries and the results of testing of ICT resources with science teachers.

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